Asking a Question the Right Way

[RUNYYFan]

Jack and Max are walking in the hallway after a religious service. Jack wonders if it would be all right to smoke while praying.

Max replies, "Why don't you ask the rabbi?"

So Jack goes up to the rabbi and asks, "Rabbi, may I smoke while I pray?"

But the rabbi says, "No, my son, you may not. That's utter disrespect to our religion."

Jack goes back to his friend and tells him what the good rabbi told him. Max says, "I'm not surprised. You asked the wrong question. Let me try."

And so Max goes up to the rabbi and asks, "Rabbi, may I pray while I smoke?"

To which the rabbi eagerly replies, "By all means, my son. By all means."

Moral: The reply you get depends on how you ask the question.